It is no secret that dogs a fast. Even the tiniest of dog breeds show incredible feats of speed when called for, but there are some dog breeds which are head and shoulders above the rest, and can reach truly extraordinary speeds that can leave even the fastest human in their dust.

Canine phsyology is particularly developed for speed, and certain breeds are even more capable because of this makeup.

  • Dogs have a much higher metabolism than humans, which means they are able to process more oxygen, and pump blood much faster.
  • Dogs have feet which are designed to grip the ground.
  • Dogs have a double-suspension gallop, using their spine, and strong abdominal muscles to aid their legs in sprinting along.

Some breeds have even more working for them. For example, the Greyhound, aside from their muscular bodies, have aerodynamic heads which aids them in gaining the extreme speeds they are capable of. Another thing that makes certain breeds more capable is the size of their hearts compared to their body size, which enables them to pump massive amounts of blood at full speed.

Greyhound: Clocked at 45 miles per hour, the Greyhound is the fastest of all dog breeds. Its aerodynamic shape and highly muscular body allows the Greyhound to move considerably faster than the next fastest dog breed.

Saluki: The Saluki, hailing from ancient Persia, is the second fastest dog breed. It was developed as a hunting dog, and can do its job admirably. It can reach speeds of up to 43 miles per hour—not quite as fast as a Greyhound, but pretty close.

Vizsla: The copper-colored speedster (puppies pictured above) is a highly prized breed of hunting dog that puts is speed to use on the field alongside hunters. Hailing from Hungry, the Vizsla has been clocked at a top speed of 40 miles per hour.

Borzoi: Also known as the Russian Wolfhound, the Borzoi is a large hound breed that can reach speeds of up to 38 miles per hour.

Jack Russel Terrier: The Jack Russell Terrier is a breed made quite popular through movies and TV, but underneath its likable exterior is the heart of a runner. The Jack Russell Terrier can reach speeds of up to 38 miles per hour.

Dalmatian: The always popular Dalmatian is not just a pretty face, or good companion for firemen. This slender breed can reach speeds of up to 37 miles per hour.

Whippet: The Whippet is an English hound and descendants of the larger, better known Greyhound dog breed. They can reach speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

Weimaraner: A pointing breed originating from Germany, the Weimaraner is a regal breed that is not only a capable hunting dog, but also quite fast, reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour.

Doberman Pinscher: The Doberman, well known for being a formidable guard dog, is also a good sprinter, reaching speeds of up to 32 miles per hour, which is helpful when chasing bad guys.

Border Collie: The Border Collie, a herding dog, is another fast working breed which utilizes its speed to accomplish its job, and while doing so reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

German Shepherd: The venerable German Shepherd is one of the most well-known and beloved dog breeds, and is no slouch when it comes to running either. It can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.